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Rock County – Colleges/Universities 2023-2024

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Universities play a crucial role in shaping local economies by driving employment, fostering business growth, attracting investment, and enhancing the overall quality of life in their host communities. Their economic impact extends beyond direct spending to include long-term benefits such as workforce development, innovation, and cultural enrichment. Below, we explore the key ways in which a university influences a local economy.

  1. Direct Employment and Spending A university is often one of the largest employers in a local area, providing jobs for faculty, administrative staff, maintenance workers, and other professionals. These employees spend their salaries on housing, groceries, transportation, and entertainment, injecting money into the local economy. Additionally, universities spend significant amounts on construction, utilities, and local services, further stimulating business activity.

    Students also contribute to local spending. Many bring outside money into the community through tuition payments, federal aid, and personal expenditures on rent, food, and retail. A large student population can sustain businesses such as bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and housing providers.

  2. Business Development and Entrepreneurship Universities often serve as hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship. Research institutions, business incubators, and technology transfer offices help commercialize academic research, leading to startup formation and industry partnerships. For example, Stanford University's role in Silicon Valley's growth demonstrates how academic institutions can spur regional economic development.

    Local businesses benefit from university partnerships, including procurement contracts for supplies, catering, and maintenance services. Furthermore, universities attract conferences, sporting events, and cultural activities that generate tourism revenue for hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.

  3. Human Capital and Workforce Development A well-educated workforce is essential for economic competitiveness. Universities produce graduates with specialized skills that attract high-paying industries, such as technology, healthcare, and finance. Many graduates remain in the area, filling critical roles in local businesses and government.

    Universities also offer continuing education programs, professional certifications, and workforce training initiatives that help upskill local employees, making the regional labor market more adaptable to industry changes.

  4. Real Estate and Infrastructure Growth The presence of a university can drive demand for housing, both from students and faculty. This often leads to the development of new apartments, condominiums, and mixed-use commercial spaces. Over time, universities contribute to urban revitalization by investing in campus expansions, public transit improvements, and community amenities like libraries and parks.

    However, rapid growth can also lead to challenges, such as rising housing costs and gentrification, which may displace long-term residents. Local governments must balance economic expansion with policies that ensure affordable housing and equitable development.

  5. Cultural and Social Contributions Beyond economics, universities enrich local culture through arts programs, public lectures, and athletic events. These activities improve residents' quality of life, making the area more attractive to businesses and skilled workers. A vibrant university town often sees increased property values and a more diverse, engaged community.


Conclusion

The economic impact of a university on a local economy is multifaceted, encompassing job creation, business growth, talent development, and infrastructure investment. While challenges such as affordability and displacement must be managed, the long-term benefits-including innovation, increased tax revenues, and a more dynamic workforce-make universities vital engines of regional prosperity. By fostering collaboration between academia, government, and industry, communities can maximize these advantages while ensuring inclusive growth.
 
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College  
Beloit College  
Maranatha Baptist University  
Rockford University  
Rasmussen University-Illinois  
Edgewood College  
Herzing University-Madison  
Rock Valley College  
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater  
University of Wisconsin-Madison  
Percent admitted - total
Admissions yield - total

Full-time enrollment
Part-time enrollment

Total  enrollment
% White
% Black
% Asian
% Hispanic
% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
% American Indian or Alaska Native
% two or more races
% Race/ethnicity unknown
% U.S. Nonresident

Undergraduate enrollment
% under 18
% 18-24
% 25-64
% over 65

Graduate enrollment

Student-to-faculty ratio

Tuition and fees, 2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24

Total price for
In-district students living on campus  2023-24
In-state students living on campus 2023-24
Out-of-state students living on campus 2023-24

In-district students living off campus (no family)  2023-24
In-state students living off campus (no family)  2023-24
Out-of-state students living off campus (no family)  2023-24

In-district students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24
In-state students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24
Out-of-state students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24

Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Doctor's degree - other

Instructional FTE
Research FTE
Public Service FTE
Librarians, Curators, and Archivists FTE
Student/Academic Affairs and Other Education Services FTE
Management FTE
Business and Financial Operations FTE
Computer, Engineering, and Science FTE
Community Service, Legal, Arts, and Media FTE
Healthcare FTE
Service FTE
Sales and Related FTE
Office and Administrative Support FTE
Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance FTE
Production, Transportation, and Material Moving FTE
Total FTE staff
43
29

44,928
4,677

49,605
57
3
9
8
0
0
4
3
15

36,797
1
96
3
0

12,808

18

10,742
10,720
10,796
11,205


28,905
28,905
58,303

28,905
28,905
58,303

16,105
16,105
45,503

0
8,121
2,871
767
685
0

4,248
1,379
50
203
515
1,104
2,016
3,444
2,002
693
1,381
14
1,303
554
135
19,041
83
24

8,871
2,648

11,519
79
5
2
9
0
0
3
1
1

9,812
3
86
10
0

1,707

20

7,735
7,730
7,864
8,250


19,560
19,560
29,226

19,890
19,890
29,556

11,790
11,790
21,456

172
1,860
625
0
8
0

495
0
0
14
17
97
57
40
133
8
119
0
106
30
11
1,127
NA
NA

2,405
3,075

5,480
56
8
4
25
0
0
2
4
0

5,480
12
63
25
1

0

18

4,124
4,124
4,124
4,274


NA
NA
NA

19,153
25,153
36,223

9,046
15,046
26,116

819
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

184
0
0
6
6
52
17
18
96
0
37
0
66
0
0
482
94
68

2,347
1,891

4,238
39
35
5
12
0
1
3
5
0

2,181
0
20
80
0

2,057

19

14,200
14,200
12,750
13,420


NA
NA
NA

28,414
28,414
28,414

16,453
16,453
16,453

164
228
426
0
0
0

240
0
0
4
210
61
21
24
25
0
0
1
8
0
0
594
95
18

1,602
399

2,001
73
5
3
9
0
0
3
4
1

1,214
4
87
9
0

787

13

31,700
32,600
33,550
34,850


51,152
51,152
51,152

49,760
49,760
49,760

38,960
38,960
38,960

0
305
142
14
2
0

136
0
0
6
29
33
22
15
48
5
37
0
11
0
0
342
NA
NA

449
883

1,332
16
50
3
14
0
1
2
14
0

1,332
0
19
81
0

0

7

12,311
11,743
11,738
13,546


NA
NA
NA

29,314
29,314
29,314

19,378
19,378
19,378

967
0
0
NA
NA
NA

111
0
0
0
25
16
3
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
164
57
11

979
270

1,249
43
13
2
16
0
0
3
14
8

968
0
82
17
0

281

10

33,050
34,000
35,050
37,300


52,900
52,900
52,900

50,150
50,150
50,150

42,400
42,400
42,400

0
204
102
0
0
0

103
0
0
2
0
30
7
5
19
3
2
0
28
0
0
199
71
70

475
502

977
81
1
5
6
0
0
3
2
2

759
26
63
11
0

218

10

17,650
18,050
18,810
20,280


37,686
37,686
37,686

37,812
37,812
37,812

28,886
28,886
28,886

23
94
96
0
0
5

58
1
0
3
11
20
7
6
6
1
13
3
12
6
1
148
57
10

916
32

948
51
8
3
17
0
0
4
3
14

948
3
94
3
0

0

11

53,348
54,680
56,312
58,554


71,959
71,959
71,959

73,321
73,321
73,321

61,219
61,219
61,219

0
211
0
0
0
0

86
0
0
5
0
51
26
10
23
0
33
0
35
11
0
280
NA
NA

733
0

733
35
30
1
28
0
0
5
1
0

733
0
44
56
0

0

28

16,649
16,799
16,699
16,699


NA
NA
NA

33,753
33,753
33,753

19,353
19,353
19,353

81
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

26
0
0
1
1
16
1
1
0
0
0
9
7
0
0
62
100
100

106
122

228
71
6
7
15
0
0
0
0
0

152
0
55
45
0

76

6

27,460
27,611
27,811
27,811


NA
NA
NA

41,877
41,877
41,877

33,711
33,711
33,711

0
89
5
0
0
16

29
0
0
1
2
4
2
0
1
0
0
0
5
0
0
44


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus